The Constitution is politics. The rest is administration, showmanship, and the division of the spoils. What has happened to our Constitution under Bush is a national, indeed, a world historical tragedy. Our Founding Fathers are being displaced by a German jurist, Carl Schmitt, who rose to influence between the first and second world wars. That the Supreme court (voting 5/4) has pushed back a little is good, but the forces of fascism are strong and they are bi-partisan. Fascism can be defined as rule by one who is above the law, through a ceremonial constitution, responsive to corporate interests, demonizing enemies, and ruling by fear, propaganda, surveillance, and secret force. Has Obama spoken out against this? Hillary?
Fascist rule takes place in a state of exception. The Constitution is "switched on and off," after an event like the Reichstag fire, or 9/11, to protect it. For more, on the State of Exception, the way our Constitution is being played using (what was clearly in Germany) fascist legal theory go here, via. That McCain favors Schmitt's real politik is unconscionable. Our great country is founded upon ideals memorialized in our Constitution. To switch that off in response to a building blowing up is personal cowardice or political opportunism.
As times get tougher, how sad it would be if those who have the most work through a strong man to shift more and more of the pain and blame to those who have least. The real terror in America is the terror felt by our leaders when they contemplate the American people rising up against them to take our country back, and to restore the Constitution that has served us so well. May protest be peaceful, however violent is the oppression, the extra-legal ferocity of the plunderer, in the state of exception. The mass corporate media can hold it together awhile longer, but when the food shortages and gas lines kick in, Americans will be looking for someone to blame. I would suggest we start by restoring the rule of law. With the Constitution toggled to the off position, our leaders would be usupers.
Excuse, me, I hear bootsteps in the hall.
I once wrote that Americans are morally unfit for self-governance. What I meant by that was that they lack the education and respect for research that would enable them to effectively organize for political action. Cynicism does not make them stronger, nor does whining.
Posted by: Jay Taber | June 19, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Agreed. We need courage, research, and we need to come together in the face of fear. We passed the tipping point, I think, and the momentum in both parties is towards concentrated power, responsive to global corporations, and those with great personal wealth. This rigged game is called "the free market." It is not a free society. Liberty is reduced in favor of corporate rapacity. Since the news organs are themselves corporate the probing coverage is zilch. That leaves us out here on our own. Linking to each other, building our our little networks, talking it up, that is the best I know how to do.
Posted by: Phil | June 19, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Both Gerry Adams and Nelson Mandela will tell you that democracy is a discursive process. Facilitating discussion face-to-face initiates the mentoring that began online and is required for communities to begin organizing. Linking the local with regional and national leaders through conferencing is the vital next step.
Posted by: Jay Taber | June 19, 2008 at 01:11 PM
I agree with your points. Have you gotten anwywhere trying to organize such a convening? What is holing it back? Lack of funding for a venue?
Posted by: Phil | June 19, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Our network (Public Good Project) hosted national conferences of regional level researchers in 1995 and 2005. We have assisted numerous local level activists with research and analysis over the years, some of whom we never met in person, others only briefly. They could all benefit from regional gatherings they could then replicate at local ones. Discussing this as a multi-year project with Political Research Associates in Boston would be a good initial strategy. Center for New Community in Chicago could be part of that discussion. Public Good has no resources for organizing such an endeavor. (Everything we do is pro bono and out of pocket.)
Posted by: Jay Taber | June 19, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I understand. Talking here and linking can't hurt, don't know if it will help either.
Posted by: Phil | June 19, 2008 at 10:01 PM
"Can't hurt" is key .. no reason I can think of to stop other than personal energy and the realization that if everything goes down, at least you were whimpering ;-)
Posted by: JJ Commoner | June 20, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Dissent is a privilege that may not surive darker times, if they come. We might as well enjoy this "right" while it it still free. Could be costly going forward.
Posted by: Phil | June 20, 2008 at 01:10 PM